AlabamaAlabama law allows device limits and treatment for some sex offenders
Starting October 1, 2026, Alabama law allows officers to restrict devices for some adults convicted of sex offenses and courts or the parole board to require treatment.
What it does
For adults convicted of a sex offense involving a child, a parole or probation officer may restrict post office boxes and internet-capable devices. Knowingly breaking a restriction is a Class C felony.
A court or the parole board may require adults on community supervision to receive sex offender treatment. People who are not indigent may have to pay based on their ability to pay; failing to take part is a Class C felony.
The parole board director may adopt rules to carry out and enforce the section on sex offender treatment and related requirements.
Argument forOfficers could limit internet devices for adults convicted of sex offenses involving children, which may help reduce those offenders' access to online spaces.
Argument againstAdults who are required to take part in treatment could face a Class C felony for not participating, and those who can pay may also owe treatment and testing costs.
More detail
A parole or probation officer may restrict an adult from using a post office box or possessing electronic media that can access the internet. This applies to adults convicted of sex offenses involving children. The adult must have been convicted of a sex offense involving a child. Knowingly breaking a restriction is a Class C felony. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
A court or the Board of Pardons and Paroles may require an adult sex offender to receive treatment as a condition of release. This may be a condition of parole, probation, community corrections, court referral officer supervision, pretrial release, or another community-based punishment option. Treatment may include periodic polygraph exams. A provider change requires prior approval from the court or the Board. People who are not indigent must pay treatment and polygraph costs based on their financial means and ability to pay. Required polygraphs must be given by a licensed Alabama examiner with the stated advanced certification. They must include at least two history, maintenance, or monitoring exams each calendar year, plus any additional exams needed to assess therapy progress. A person who fails to take part in required treatment commits a Class C felony. An adult's job-related internet use may not be prohibited, though reasonable limits may be imposed if they do not prevent the person from doing the job. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
The Board of Pardons and Paroles director may adopt rules to carry out and enforce the treatment section. The authority applies to Section 15-20A-20.01 on treatment and related requirements. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 16EnactedBecame Law
- Apr 9Gudger motion to Non-Concur and Appoint Conference Committee - Adopted Roll Call 1297
- Vote recorded Gudger motion to Concur In and Adopt Conference Committee Report - Adopted Roll Call 1306. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Butler motion to Concur In and Adopt Conference Committee Report - Adopted Roll Call 1356. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded In Conference Committee. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Gudger motion to Non-Concur and Appoint Conference Committee - Adopted Roll Call 1297. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 9Butler motion to Accede - Adopted Roll Call 1339 House appoints Sellers, Gidley and Butler
- Apr 9In Conference Committee
- Apr 9Senate Concurs in Conference Committee Report (Conference Committee on SB199)
- Apr 9Gudger motion to Concur In and Adopt Conference Committee Report - Adopted Roll Call 1306
- Apr 9Butler motion to Concur In and Adopt Conference Committee Report - Adopted Roll Call 1356
- Apr 9Ready to Enroll
- Apr 9EnrolledTo Governor
- Apr 9Signature Requested
- Apr 9Delivered to GovernorMinor
- Apr 8Third Reading in Second House
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1302. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1301. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Third Reading in Second House. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 8Judiciary 1st Substitute Offered (Judiciary)Minor
- Apr 8Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1301Major
- Apr 8Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1302Passed House
- Mar 19Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Judiciary)Minor
- Mar 18Judiciary 1st Substitute (Judiciary)
- Mar 18Reported Out of Committee Second House
- Mar 11Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on JudiciaryMinor
- Mar 11Pending Committee Action in Second House (Judiciary)
- Mar 10Third Reading in House of Origin
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 796. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Kelley motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 795. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Kelley motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 794. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Third Reading in House of Origin. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Third Reading in House of Origin. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 10Kelley 1st Amendment OfferedMinor
- Mar 10Kelley motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 794Major
- Mar 10Kelley 2nd Amendment OfferedMinor
- Mar 10Kelley motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 795Major
- Mar 10Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 796Passed Senate
- Mar 10Third Reading in House of Origin
- Mar 10Engrossed
- Feb 19Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Judiciary)Minor
- Feb 18Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
- Jan 21Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on JudiciaryMinor
- Jan 21Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Judiciary)Introduced
Criminal Justice